General Information

Ukraine is located in the central Europe at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and is one of the biggest countries of Europe.

Ukraine has borders with Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Moldova, Belarus and Russia.

The total area of Ukraine is 603,700 sq.km.

Ukraine population: 46,314,000 (2007 est).

The capital is Kyiv (Kiev in Russian transliterations).

Ukraine largest cities: Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv.

The country is subdivided into 24 regions (oblasts) and the Crimea - autonomous republic.

State language is Ukrainian. The majority of Ukrainians are bilingual and speak Russian as well. Russian is used widely in the Crimea and other Southern regions, Eastern, Central and Nothern Ukraine.

The highest mountain in Ukraine is Mount Hoverla (6,702 feet, or 2,043 meters).

Ukraine major religious groups: Orthodox Christians, Greek Catholics (Uniates), Baptists, and other.

Ukraine international phone code: +380.

Ukraine currency: Hryvnia (UAH).

Time zone:GMT+2 (UTC+2)

The main Holidays in Ukraine:

• January 1 - New Year
• January 7 - Christmas
• March 8 – International Women's Day
• Easter (for 2011)
• May 1, 2 - Labor Day
• Whitsunday (for 2011)
• May 9 - Victory Day
• June 28 - Constitution Day
• August 24 - Independence Day

Electricity: The standard electricity supply in Ukraine is 220V/ 50 Hz. Ukrainian plugs are of the same type as the most European countries have - two round pins. If electric appliances you bring have different specs, make sure to pick-up a converter and/or plug adapter.

Governmental system

Ukraine is a republic with a constitutional democracy form of government, headed by the President. The power is divided among executive, legislative and judicial branches. The President designates a Prime Minister and regional governors, the Supreme Council can veto his decisions.
Executive branch: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the President and approved by the Supreme Council.

Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) of 450 seats.

The Ukrainian national emblem is a golden Trident (tryzoob), which dates back to Rjurik Dynasty, the governors of Kievan Rus.

Weather

The climate is moderately continental and comparatively dry with more than 290 sunny days in the year in the South Ukraine (Black Sea coast, Crimea).
Average winter temperature:
from -8° to -15° C (between +17.6° F and +5° F)
In Southern regions the winter temperature hovers around freezing.
Falling snow and -10° C (+14° F) is a really rare occurrence, which is usually replaced by a thaw.

Average summer temperature:
from +18° to +25° C (between +64,4° and +77° F), though in daytime can get up over +35° C (+95° F).

Public Transportation

Most Ukrainian cities have extensive public transport system which operates from 6 a.m. to midnight. Buses, trams and trolleys are rather slow, but it is a cheap way to travel within cities. Prices range from 1 hryvnya per one way in trolley bus and tram to 2 hryvnas.

There are numerous taxi services, orders are taken via phone. A taxi or a gypsy cab can be hired right on the street simply by putting out your hand. Services of gypsy cabs are less expensive but are not recommended from the safety point of viever, if you wish to use a gypsy cab make sure there is nobody else inside but the driver and negotiate the price before you get in the car.

Shopping

Ukraine is famous for its high-quality textile, as well as food products and drinks: delicatessen, caviar, confectionery, chocolate, juices, beer, vodka, Crimea wines and plenty of others. Shops and markets trade via Hryvna only. However, some of shops accept Visa, MasterCard/EuroCard. You can identify such places by credit cards signs on the entrance door.

Buying a souvenir, a painting, a sculpture or other handcrafts it is a good idea to get a certificate identifying hal value (its absence) of the purchased good. This document might be useful when going through the customs upon departure from Ukraine.

Working hours

State and public offices are opened from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a lunch hour from 1p.m. as a rule.

The majority of stores are opened from 10a.m. to 8p.m. and closed only on Sunday, and many shops are opened every day. A lunch hour is usually either from 1 to 2p.m. or from 2 to 3p.m.

As for food stores, many of them work 24 hours 7 days a week, a few – from 8a.m. to 8p.m.Usual work time for cafes and restaurants is from 10-12 a.m. until a last customer leaves.

Most banks are open to public from 9a.m. to 3p.m with a lunch hour from 1 to 2 p.m. and are closed on Saturday, Sunday.

Service Tipping

Personnel of hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, guides, etc in Ukraine expect tips as in any other country. The tips amount depends on your satisfaction and the total of provided services. Customary tips are about 10% of the order amount at restaurants, bars, etc. There is no obligation to tip the waiters, like any other personnel, but it is expected since tips are the major part of their income. Guides, interpreters, tour-drivers, hotel porters count on tips too.